Pressure-sensitive flexible polymer bipolar electrode
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to bipolar ablation systems. A bipolar electrode system for ablation therapy is disclosed, including a pressure-sensitive conducting composite layer and a pair of electrodes in electrical conductive contact or communication with the pressure-sensitive conducting composite layer. Energy (e.g., ablation energy) is delivered via the pressure-sensitive conductive composition when sufficient pressure is applied to transform the pressure-sensitive conductive composite to an electrical conductor. An electrically insulative flexible layer, which may include a passageway for a fill material is also disclosed. In some embodiments, the systems can also be used for targeted delivery of compounds, such as drugs, using a bipolar electrode.
30 Citations
53 Claims
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1-33. -33. (canceled)
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34. A catheter, comprising:
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a catheter shaft comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion; and an electrode assembly coupled to the distal portion, the electrode assembly comprising an exterior configured to engage target tissue, wherein the electrode assembly is configured to channel ablative energy to a first portion of the exterior while not channeling ablative energy to a second portion of the exterior when the first portion is in contact with the target tissue and the second portion is not in contact with the target tissue. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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48. A catheter, comprising:
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a catheter shaft comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion; and an electrode assembly coupled to the distal portion including; first and second electrodes whose outside surfaces are configured to engage target tissue, a pressure-sensitive conductive composite layer configured as an electrical insulator in the absence of an applied pressure and further configured as an electrical conductor in the presence of an applied pressure, said pressure-sensitive conductive composite layer being arranged relative to said first and second electrodes such that said electrode assembly includes (i) a conductive zone corresponding to that portion of said electrode assembly that is subject to a predetermined applied pressure and in which ablative energy is delivered and (ii) a complementary insulative zone where no ablative energy is delivered. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51)
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52. A catheter, comprising:
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a catheter shaft comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion; and an electrode assembly coupled to the distal portion including first and second electrodes configured to engage target tissue, said electrode assembly being configured to selectively couple a first electrical conducting element to said first electrode when a said first electrode experiences a predetermined pressure applied thereto, said electrode assembly being further configured to selectively couple a second electrical conducting element to said second electrode when said second electrode experiences a predetermined pressure applied thereto, said first and second electrical conducting elements extending to a proximal end of said catheter and are configured for connection to an electrical apparatus arranged to interact with said first and second electrodes. - View Dependent Claims (53)
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Specification